THE NEED
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Studies examining trauma exposure among community samples of Black males show:
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62% have directly experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime.
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72% witnessed a traumatic event
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59% have learned of a traumatic event involving a friend or family member
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Trauma has been identified as a major public health and medical issue, and Black males aged 18+ are at noticeably high risk for trauma exposure.
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Severe and/or chronic trauma can have lasting adverse effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being.
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Empirical research has documented a link between trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and violence perpetration.
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Suicide is ranked as the third leading cause of death in black men from ages 15 -24.
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African Americans have depressive episodes that are more disabling, more persistent, and more resistant to treatment relative to their White counterparts.
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Black males are half as likely to use professional mental health services compared to their White counterparts